Colostomy device



April 13, 1954 .1. JONES 2,675,001

coLosToMY DEVICE Filed March 4, 195o l f i mm 1 l l l I l I6 l l A Patented Apr. 13, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE coLos'roMY DEVICE Jacob Jones, Bridgeport, Conn. Application March 4, 195o, serial No. 1421589 17 claims. (C1. 12s-283) This invention relates to surgical apparatus, and particularly to a new and improved receptacle or container adapted to be associated with artificial orifices in abdominal walls such as is encountered when a patient is subjected to a colostoiny, ileostomy, colectomy, or the like.

Such operations leave the patient with an articial opening in the abdominal wall through which body refuse must pass. Many types of colostomy bags have heretofore been proposed, and while some of these achieve a certain degree of success, yet all prior-known colostomy bags provide certain hazards to the wearer which are a constant source of annoyance. Among the disadvantages of prior-known colostomy bags in clude their inability to provide a connection between the patients abdominal wall and the container which is not only leali-proof, but ca pable of withstanding considerable stresses to which it is subjected by the normal activity of the wearer; their inability to provide a support for the bag that will flex with the bodily move ments while still retaining a constant pressure on the connector between the patients body and the bag; and their inability to provide a connection between the body of the wearer and the bag which will resist slipping.

Heretofore it was the common practice with certain colostomy bags to employ an adhesive between the inlet to the bag and the wearers body.

rlhis required carrying two tubes of material, one tube containing a skin preparation to resist the chemical action of the adhesive which was contained in the other tube. The usual procedure in applying certain bags employing such adhesives is to clean the abdominal wall surrounding the artificial opening and apply a coating of the skin preparation from the one tube. The next step is to apply a coat of adhesive from the second tube to a disc xed to the bag and surrounding the inlet thereto. It is then necessary to wait a predetermined time interval before applying the bag, to permit the adhesive and skin preparation to partially dry. Finally, the disc containing the partially dried adhesive is pressed firmly against the abdominal wall with the bag inlet surrounding the artificial opening, and, an elastic band surrounding the body of the patient is attached to each side of the disc to maintain it in place. Such procedure is not only time-consuming, but requires the patient to lie down during the procedure with the artificial opening uncovered awaiting the partial drying of the adhesive, with the attending discomture and trouble should wastes begin flowing from the opening before the adhesive is properly conditioned.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a surgical apparatus of the class described which will overcome the above as well as other deficiencies of prior-known containers of this type.

Other objects include the provision of a colostomy bag having means forming a mechanical interlock between the abdominal wall of the patient and the bag; the provision of a colostomy device including an adhesive article of manufacture that cooperates with the bag and the abdominal wall of the patient to provide a leakproof joint capable of withstanding all stresses subjected to such joints by the normal. activity of the wearer; the provision of such a device in which a relatively wide, woven, rubberized fabric is provided with spaced ribs and a plurality of connectors at each end that connect to that portion of the device which is adapted to be attached to the abdomen of the patient; and the provision of such a device in which an outlet is provided for the container in a position to facilitate its ready emptying.

rihe above, as well as other objects and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following speciiication and accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational View of a colostomy device to which the principles of the invention have been applied;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the adhesive element forming part of the invention; and

Fig. 5 is an end view of the element of Fig. fi.

Referring to Fig. 1, the principles of the invention are shown as applied to a colostomy bag It having an inlet Il in one wall and an outlet l2. The inlet Il is shown as circular, although in practice it may be of any configuration depending upon the form of the artificial opening or openings with which it must cooperate. The outlet I2 is shown on the right-hand side of the bag I0, but may be on either side depending upon the side of the abdomen containing the artificial orifice. The outlet i2 should normally lie inwardly toward the crotch between the legs of the wearer for facilitating emptying of the container l0. The wall of bag or container IB that includes the inlet Il is vulcanized or otherwise integrally united to a rubber-covered, perforated member or disc I3 which forms part of the connecting means between the bag Il) and the body of the patient. The member I3 includes an outer ring I4 and an inner ring I5, joined by radial spokes or ribs I8. The disc or member I3 is convex outwardly relatively to the bag I0, and the ribs or spokes i6 provide relatively large perforations Il between the inner and outer rings, all for a purpose to be described later. The member I3 may be made from a sheet metal stamping, a metal Wire construction, or it may be made of any material so long as it provides a relatively stii plate-like disc having relatively large perforations in its surface. In the present embodiment of the invention, the disc is shown as a sheet metal stamping. It is sandwiched between two thin sheets I8 and I9 of flexible material such as rubber or the like that are then vulcanized or otherwise sealed together so that both sheets join throughout substantially the 'entire area of the perforations I'I, as well as over a substantial area about the outer and inner peripheries of the disc I3.

As previously mentioned, thewall of the bag iii containing the inlet opening il is vulcanized or otherwise integrally joined to the sheet I9 throughout substantially the entire area of the latter and with the inlet II of the bag Il] aligned with the opening formed by the inner ring I of the rubber-covered disc I3. Hook members El) are integrally attached to the outer ring I4 of the rubber-covered disc. There are, in the present embodiment, four hooks 20, one at each point about ring i4 where it is attached to a spoke or rib I6.

In order to hold the Vbag I Il, or rather the rubber-covered disc I3 to the body of the patient with a minimum of discomfort, a relatively wide belt 2l of elastic woven material is employed. The belt 2l 'includes' tabs 22 which support ring members 23 at each free end of the belt, so spaced to cooperate with the hooks 2c of the rubber-covered disc I3. Pockets 2li are provided at equally-spaced intervals throughout the length ci belt 2l for receiving iiexible stifening ribs, providing in eiect a resilient corset-like belt that will readily flex with the Ibodily movements during normal activity vof 'the patient and still apply equal forces at the four hooks 2t, which forces act equally throughout the extent of the rubber-covered vdisc I3.

in use, the convex side of the rubber-covered disc I3 is pressed against the'abdorninal wall of Ythe patient. Since the 'thin layers of 'rubber covering 'the perforations i'l of the rubbercovered disc are extremely flexible, the forces applied to the hooks 2G by the belt 2i' cause the patients iiesh Vto bulge into them, thereby forming a mechanical interlock between Athe rubbercovered disc i3 and the abdominal wall of the patient.

In order to provide a leak-proof connection between the abdominal wall of the patient and the rubber-covered disc I3, which will effectively resist the stresses normally encountered by the activity of the wearer, a separate disposable element 25 is employed. The element 25 may take any form and be of any flexible material so long as it provides a substantial area surrounding the inlet opening II to the bag I0. In the embodiment disclosed, it is shown in Figs. 4 and 5 as an annular-shaped piece of exible material to each side of which is applied an adhesive of the type commonly employed with such Varticles as surgical adhesive tape, corn plastere, Vmustard plasters and the like. A protective gauze cover' is applied to the adhesive on each side of the element 25 and the patient may be supplied with quantities of these elements, each of which is disposed of after removal of the container from the body, and a new element 25 empioyed upon each application cf the container to the body.

In applying the colostomy device to the patient, the protective fabric on the one side the element 25 is removed and the uncovered adhesive side is applied to the rubber-covered disc as shown in Fig. 2, so that its central opening is aligned with the inlet Il of the bag lil. The element 25 is then iirmly pressed against the convex side of the rubber-covered disc i3. The other side of the adhesive element 25 is then uncovered and the convex side of the rubbercovered disc is pressed iirmly to the abdominal wall with the artificial opening in the abdomen registering with the inlet II of bag Iii. The rings 23 of the beit 2! are then connected to the hooks 20, firmly but flexibly holding the rubbercovered disc i3 against the abdominal wall, forcing the flesh into the perforations il and providing a leak-proof, mechanically interlocked seal between the bag I B and the body of the patient.

Although the various features of the improved cclostomy bag have been shown and described in detail to fully disclose one embodiment of this invention, it will be evident that numerous changes may be made in such details, and certain features may be used without others, without departing from the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A surgical appliance comprising in combination, a container having an inlet adapted to be held in registry with an artificial opening in the abdomen of a patient; a rigid member attached to said container and provided with a central opening in registry with said inlet, said member being provided with a plurality of openings surrounding said central opening; a sheet or" flexible material covering said memberthereby providing a surface having rigid and resilient areas adapted to form a mechanical interlock between said member and the abdominal wall of said patient; and a resilient belt attached to said member and adapted to surround the body of the patient.

2. A surgical appliance comprising in combination, a container having an inlet adapted to be held in registry with an artiicial opening in the abdominal wall of a patient; a rigid convex frame member attached to said container, and provided With a central opening in registry with inlet, said member being provided with a plurality of relatively large openings surrounding said central opening; a sheet of flexible material covering said member thereby providing a convex surface having rigid and resilient areas, whereby said convex surface will contact the abdominal wall of the patient when said surgical appliance is applied thereto; and a resilient belt attached to said frame member, adapted to surround the body of the patient for forcing the convex 'face of the frame Vmember intov intimate contact with the abdominal wall of the patient, thereby causing portions of the patients esh to force said resilient areas away from the convex surface including said rigid areas to thereby iorm a mechanical interlock between the patients abdominal wall `and said frame member.

3. A surgical appliance comprising in combination, a container having an inlet adapted to be held in registry with an artificial opening in the abdominal wall of a patient; a frame member having a concave inner surface, a convex outer surface and provided with relatively large openings throughout its surface including a central opening adapted to register with the inlet of said container; a resilient covering for said frame member that covers said relatively large openings to provide resilient areas therein, and attached to said container on the concave surface of said frame member with its central opening registering with said container inlet; and a resilient belt attached to each side of said frame member.

4. A surgical appliance comprising in combination, a container including an inlet adapted to be held in registry with an artificial opening in the abdominal wall of a patient; and a disposable element having an opening therethrough,

said element being provided with an adhesive on opposite faces, being adhesively attached to said container and adapted to be adhesively attached to the abdominal wall of a patient.

5. A seal for use with a colostomy bag having an inlet and adapted to .be located between the area surrounding the inlet to the bag and the abdominal wall of: a patient to provide a watertight seal that is replaceable upon successive applications of said bag to the abdominal wall of said patient, comprising a sheet of flexible material having an opening therethrough for registry with the inlet of said colostomy. bag, and having a coating of adhesive on opposed faces thereof.

6. A surgical appliance comprising in combination, a container including an inlet adapted to be held in registry with an articial opening in the abdominal wall of a patient, and an outlet adapted to facilitate emptying said container while the same is attached to the patient; and a disposable sheet of relatively thin, ilexible material having an opening therethrough for regis try with the inlet of said container, said sheet having a coating of adhesive on opposed faces thereof, being adhesively attached to said container and adapted to be adhesively attached to the abdominal wall of a patient.

7. A surgical appliance comprising in com bination, a container having an inlet fadapted to be held in registry with an artificial opening in the abdomen of a patient; a member attached to said container,v surrounding said inlet and including means adapted to form a mechanical interlock between said member and the abdominal wall of said patient; a disposable sheet of iexible material having an adhesive on opposed faces, being adhesively attached to said container and adapted to be adhesively attached to the abdomen of a patient; and a resilient belt attached to said member and adapted to sur round the body of the patient.

8. A surgical appliance comprising in combination, a container having an inlet adapted to be held in registry with an artificial opening in the abdominal wall of a patient; a frame member providing openings of substantial area attached to said container and surrounding said inlet; a disposable sheet of flexible material having an adhesive on opposed faces, being adhesively attached to said frame member and adapted to be adhesively attached to the abdominal wall of a patient; and a resilient belt adapted to surround the body of the patient and connected to said frame member.

9. A surgical appliance comprising in com bination, a container having an inlet adapted to be held in registry with an artiiicial opening in the abdominal wall of a patient; a frame member having a convex surface and provided with relatively large openings in its surface, said frame member having a central opening and being attached to said vcontainer with said central opening in registry with said inlet such that said convex surface will contact the abdominal wall of the patient when said surgical appliance is applied thereto; a disposable sheet oi ilexible material having an adhesive on opposed faces, being adhesively attached to said frame member and adapted to be adhesively attached to the abdominal wall of a patient; and a resilient belt adapted to surround the body of the patient and connected to said frame member.

l0. A surgical appliance comprising in combination, a container having an inlet adapted to be held in registry with an articial opening in the abdominal Wall of a patient; a frame member having a concave inner surface, a convex outer surface and provided with relatively large openings throughout its surface including a central opening adapted to register with the inlet of said container; a resilient covering for said frame member and attached to said container on the concave surface of said frame member with its central opening registering with said container inlet; a disposable sheet of ilexible material having an adhesive onopposed faces, being adhesively attached to the resilient material on the convex surface of said frame member and adapted to be adhesively attached to the abdominal wall of a patient; and a resilient belt attached to each side of said frame member.

ll. A surgical appliance comprising in combination, a container having an inlet adapted to be held in registry with an artificial opening in the abdomen of a patient; a rigid. member attached tosaid container and provided with a central opening in registry with said inlet, said member being provided with a plurality of openings surrounding said central opening; a sheet of flexible material covering said member thereby providing a surface.` having rigid and resilient areas adapted to form a mechanical interlock between said member and the abdominal wall of said patient; a relatively wide elastic belt including spaced stiiening ribs throughout its length; and means for attaching the free ends of said belt to said Amember in a manner to provide equal distribution of forces to said member.

l2. A surgical appliance comprising in combination, a container having an inlet adapted to be held in registry with an artificial opening in the abdominal wall of a patient; a rigid convex frame member' attached to said container, and provided with a central opening in registry with inlet, said member being provided with a plurality of relatively large openings surrounding said central opening; a sheet of flexible material covering said member thereby providing a convex surface having rigid and resilient areas, whereby said convex surface will contact the abdominal wall of the patient when said surgical appliance is applied thereto; a relatively wide elastic belt including spaced stiiiening ribs throughout its length; and means for attaching the free ends of said belt to said frame member in a manner to provide equal distribution of forces to said frame member thereby forcing the convex face of said frame member into intimate contact with the abdominal wall of the patient,

acvaooi whereby portions of the patients nosh force said resilient areas away from the convex surface including said rigid areas to thereby form a mechanical interlock between the patients abdominal wall and said frame member.

13. A surgical appliance comprising in com-bt. nation, a container including an inlet adapted to be held in registry with an artificial opening in the abdominal Wall of a patient; a disposable ele- 1 ment having an opening therethrough, said element being provided with an adhesive on op.- posite faces, and being adhesively attached to said container and adapted to be adhesively at-f. tached to the abdominal Wall of a patient; a relatively wide elastic belt having spaced ribs throughout its length; and means for attaching the free ends of said belt to the inlet of said container. Y

14. A surgical appliance comprising in combination, a container having an inlet adapted to be held in registry with an articial opening in the abdomen of a patient; a member attached to said container, surrounding said inlet and including means adapted to form a mechanical interlock between said member and the abdominal wall loi said patient; a disposable sheet of flexible. material having an adhesive on opposed faces, said sheet being adhesively attached to said container and adapted to be adhesively attached to the abdomen of a patient; a relatively wide elastic belt having spaced ribs throughout its length; and

means for attaching the free ends of said belt to said member in a manner to provide substantially equal distribution of forces to said member.

15. A surgical appliance comprising in combination, a container having an inlet adapted to .be held in registry with an articial opening in the abdominal wall of a patient; a frame member providing openings of substantial area attached to said container and surrounding said inlet; a disposable sheet of exible material having an adhesive on opposed faces, being adhesively attached to said frame member and adapted to be adhesively attached to the abdominal wall of a patient; a relatively widev elastic belt having spaced ribs throughout its length; and means for attaching the free end oi said belt to said frame member in a manne-r to provide substantially equal distribution ,of forces to said frame member.

16. A surgical appliance comprising in combi-r nation, a container having an inlet adapted to be held in registry with an artificial opening in the abdominal wall of a patient; a frame member having a convex surface and provided with relatively large openings in its surface, said frame 5 member having a central opening and being attackled to said container with said central opening in registry with said inlet such that said com vex surface wiil contact the abdominal wall of the patient when said surgical appliance is applied thereto; a disposable sheet of flexible material having an adhesive on opposed faces, being adhesively attached to said frame member and adapted to be adhesively attached to the abdominal wall of a patient; a relatively wide elastic belt having spaced ribs throughout its length; and means for attaching the free ends of said belt to said frame member including four connectors substantially equally spaced about said frame member to thereby provide substantially equal distribution of forces to said frame member.

17. A Asurgical appliance comprising rin combination, a container having an inlet adapted to be held in registry with an articial opening in the abdominal wall of a patient; a frame member having a concave inner surface, a convex outer surface and provided with relatively large openings throughout its surface including a central opening adapted to register with the inlet of said container; a resilient covering for said frame member and attached to said container on the concave surface 0f said frame member with its central opening registering with said container inlet; a disposable sheet of ilexible material having an adhesive on opposed faces, being adhesively attached to the resilient material on the convex surface of said frame member and adapted to -be adhesively attached to the abdominal wall of a patient; a relatively wide elastic belt having v spaced ribs throughout its length; and means for attaching the free ends of said belt to said frame member including four connectors substantially equally spaced about Isaid frame member to thereby provide substantially equal distribution of forces to said frame member.

References Cited in the file 0f this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 5 1,656,328 Le Cras g Jan. 1'7, 1928 1,862,122 Schroder s June 7, 1932 2,054,586 BQSCr -11 Dec. 15, 1936 2,292,024 Dreher Aug. 4, 1942 2,495,008 Keaton Jan. 17, 1950 50 2,496,175 Perry 1, g s 1 Jan. 31, 1 950 2,524,750 Bollinger 1 Oct. 1,0, 1950 2,548,149 Fowler V Apr. 10, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 5 Number Country Date 678,964 Germanyl July 2,6, 1939 752,361 France July 17, 1933 

